England captain Harry Kane says the congratulations he received after winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or included a message from Indian cricket star Virat Kohli that especially stood out to him. Kane said Kohli’s note was “particularly special,” reflecting mutual respect between the two sports. He made the comments during a media session following the award.
Kane also described other well-wishers, including former England captain David Beckham and NFL quarterback Tom Brady, both of whom he admires. One outlet also adds that Kane mentioned musician Ed Sheeran among the names he received or referenced. The coverage centres on Kane’s reaction to the range of messages and the cross-sport and celebrity recognition surrounding the Ballon d’Or win.
Some reports focus on the headline “starstruck” moment and the spotlight on Kohli’s message, while another includes additional personalities and details from Kane’s replies. The core facts—Kohli congratulated Kane, and Beckham and Brady are among the other names mentioned—remain consistent across outlets.
